9 Mental Health Habits for Christians

Don’t believe everything that you think

Even our own thoughts are corrupted by our sinful nature. So of course leaning on our own understanding, perceptions and views are not the smartest. The devil tries to get us to believe that we are in control of our lives, therefore our thoughts are in control of us and most likely correct. We tend to makes sense of anything we put our minds too or question the things that don’t make sense to us. You have to remember that there is a greater mind than yours and he made you himself…so you should rely on what his thoughts are (the bible) rather than yours. When you have certain thoughts going through your head, questions, theories, etc, place them on the bible to get your answers; it is also wise when after doing this, also talk to an elder about it, someone who has been in the faith for while and have wisdom so that you know for a fact your not only relying your own understanding of the bible as well. Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Mark 7:21 “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery…” Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust man”.

Don’t be ashamed to get help:

As Christians, we tend to think getting help is an embarrassment or ‘I got it’ and just continue to pray. Prayer is always the first step…but God doesn’t force you to stop there. Prayer is followed by action. If you prayed for anger but never practiced it…you are not doing the Will of God. the same thing applies when you are struggling and need help; of course your first priority is to give it to God, but god also gives you the opportunity and resources to get help. Whether thats a medical professional, councilor, medication (without abusing it), do not feel ashamed. Yet, do not let these things replace God. Do not confide in more help with your councilor than God, do not take medication more than you pray, do not blame your emotions on a diagnosed mental illness and loose communication with your God. Give your thanks for the given resources and opportunities, seek guidance, ask for his help and understanding, you wouldn’t make it without Him.

Observe and track your life patterns. Journaling, checklists, etc.

Track your prayers and you’r answered prayers, really try to notice what God is doing in your life. Think about observing your feelings throughout the day and contemplate why you felt the feelings you did for the day and what you did to either feel that way or to fix it. Were you feeling depressed? What is something Biblical you did to help the situation and did it help or not? Journal about your love for God! Keep a gratitude journal. Expressing your emotions puts you in a vulnerable mindset, just give all of your emotions to your God. Even simple things like journaling specific thoughts throughout the day, the bad ones, the happy thoughts, any of them. This allows you to reflect on any situation you were in and either fix something or show yourself where improvement in your life is.

Let people help you

Christians get caught up thinking that we have God so we don’t need help from anyone. Or we let pride get the best of us. What we actually end up doing when we take on the responsibility of “I got it”, I don’t need help”, is really saying that you are your own God. You know it all, your mindset is above others. Although you’r not intentionally saying this, remember your heart and mind will fool you. We all need others to help us through life, why do you think Adam needed Eve? We are all here for each-other and especially as Christians, it’s not a choice to isolate ourselves and ‘figure it out’, we have to involve the body of the church and our family into our lives; this means help. Help as in venting, confessing your struggles and sins, a shoulder to cry on, seeking the next steps, just seek help. Two brains are better than one.

Storms in life are supposed to be there, they will come, and they can be for our good

Jesus went through the worst of the worst…THE SON OF GOD….OUR SAVIOR suffered the most gruesome death. What makes you think that you will not go through tough trials and turmoil? Tribulations tests our faith, our life has a lot of testing in it, all to bring us closer to God. The Christian life isn’t about how to have the happiest life, it’s about knowing how to get trough those tough times with God, seeking God in need and giving him your life. Tribulations tests our sense of purpose, obedience, we go through these to learn to reply upon the Lord.

2 Cor 1:8–11, 2 Cor 2:9, James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:7, Matt 13:1–23.

Stop taking control of everything:

We get so caught up thinking that this life is ‘our own’ and that we live only for ourselves. We want to know the next step, what others are going to think, what there going to say, the next 20 plan, try to control things since we are more comfortable with ourselves rather than others.But lets face it, you will never have control over everything in your life, only a few things. You can control how much you eat, how kind you are, what time you want to wake up etc. You cant control other peoples actions, their mindset, an outcome of some situations, or most importantly the plan God already has for you. So let go and let God. Let him take control and be your guide. You can be the boat and steer in the path of which is right, but let God be the water, the only true way you’r going to get to your destination. Trying to take control of everything also shows an error in your heart. It shows your lack of trust in God. why? Because you’r not letting him steer, you prefer your own way. So know you’r God and his attributes, He made you therefore He will guide you correctly, you don’t need to control it. Especially in situations that are completely out of your control.

When you go through grief and loss the only way through is through the pain.

Grief and pain…this topic is a lot easier said than done. But it still needs to be said. We all are more comfortable in finding temporary relief; we’re not looking for stress relief and pain relief later, we want it now. We are impatient. But really looking at the truth temporary relief is not going to give us actual peace. It just gets our mind off of the situation for a while. You have emotions for a reason and you have to feel them. Allow your body not to block them out and give it time to naturally heal, thats the quickest way to healing. Understand that feeling of not wanting to be on this earth any more, wanting the pain to be gone now and not later, depression, anxiety, heart break…those are all normal emotions to feel. These lead you on your knees to your God. If you need help, then Get it, God offers it to you; he cares about your mental state. He is not saying deal with your pain alone and suffer. He is saying feel your emotions naturally so that it brings you closer to Him so he can guide you righteously and not through sin. Know his will for you is higher than your own will for yourself.

Jesus should be the first one you turn too

We become so used to going to other friends, looking at youtube videos for answers and even other elders and pastors. These are not bad things to do to improve your knowledge and get other insight, but your first place you should run to is your heavenly father. He knows you more than anyone will, He has more wisdom than any human, his guidance is pure. Run to Him for answers and guidance first; read his Word, let Him speak to you.

Begin your day in prayer. Set the foundation

What better way to place the foundation of your day on a stable one! Start your day off as soon as you wake up with prayer. Give Him thanks for a new day, ask for guidance throughout the day and for His will to be done. Pray for everything that comes to your mind and allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you. Setting the foundation of your day on Christ sets you up for a stable and unshakable foundation of the day. You’r allowing God to guide you from the very beginning of the day. Remember that prayer is a strong communion factor between you and God.